Lynn's Comments: My mom was a stickler when it came to good manners. "Please," "thank you" and "pardon me" were drilled into us. We had eating lessons. She made us sit with a Golden Book under each arm so we could learn to eat without raising our elbows. There was a litany of rules: "Chew with your mouth shut! Don't pick your teeth in public! Don't blow your nose on the napkins! When you're finished, put your knife and fork together (like a clock’s hands) at seven thirty five!" Use of the knife and fork was carefully monitored. If we slouched at the table, mom would put a yardstick down our backs. This was strict and somewhat crazy, but my brother and I learned how to eat with good manners and it’s been a valuable skill, which has lasted us all our lives!
